The language arts department offers a variety of required and elective courses which are in compliance with the objectives of a competency-based curriculum. Included in the course offerings for the department are honors, gifted, and Advanced Placement level courses for which teacher recommendations are required before placement. Four years of language arts instruction are required for all students, and elective courses are available at all grade levels. Elective courses do not replace the required English classes. Students are assessed for placement based on their abilities, performance in previous English classes and on the FCAT, and motivation toward academic excellence.